Eagles camp creates optimism for everyone involved

PHILADELPHIA — In their glass half-full approach, the Eagles view the current series of spring organized team activities as the first complete offseason program not just for the rookies but their second-year players, all the offensive and defensive linemen and quarterback Michael Vick.

After all, the lockout of 2011 prevented Vick from doing any work with the coaches in his first offseason as the starter, none of the linemen (except Jason Babin, who went on to have a monster season) were able to process any of the new techniques introduced by Jim Washburn (defense) and Howard Mudd (offense) until being thrust into an accelerated training camp last summer; and the 2011 rookies weren't involved with the offseason conditioning program until after being drafted or signed.

This is a different dynamic, with a make-or-break season looming for head coach Andy Reid and presumably his entire staff.

The Eagles haven't cut any corners this offseason, getting all the pressing contract matters with veterans out of the way before the OTAs began, upgrading their defensive personnel and moving quickly to sign top free-agent Demetress Bell almost immediately after left tackle Jason Peters tore an Achilles tendon.

Vick this week displayed a quiet confidence of a quarterback who knows he is at the top of his game and is surrounded by players who can make the same claim. He knows another season like the last one likely will get him demoted and Reid run out of town. But he seems to like the action.

"It's a critical year for the coach, it's a critical year for me," Vick said. "I just feel like I got everything I need as a player. It's the first time I've been surrounded by this much talent and having a full offseason with coach Reid, which I think is going to be valuable.

"We're playing for it all, for our organization, not just for the coaches. It's a critical year for everybody."

Vick reiterated how much better a quarterback he's become since joining the Eagles in 2009, following two complete seasons away from the game while serving a prison sentence.

"I just never felt like this before, as much knowledge as I've been able to attain," he said. "It's only because of the coaches I have right now. And they're hard on me out on the practice field, and in the game when I miss certain throws, they're going to tell me how they feel, and I respect that.

"It makes me work hard ... and that's what I need to get the best out of me."

Vick still thinks about what could have been from time to time.

"I tell coach Reid all the time: 'I wish you could have [brought] me here first,' " he said. "I wish he would have drafted me. But that's just an 'if.' You've got to live in the now, and I've got to take full advantage of the time that I have now."

Across the board, this is a team that projects everything finally coming together in a rebuilding project that began some 15 months ago.

Outstanding depth on the defensive line should mean fascinating training-camp battles.

Ditto for wide receiver, running back and even quarterback, where Mike Kafka has remained the man to beat for the backup spot.

Nick Foles, a third-round draft pick last month, is the front-runner for the third spot.

"He's completing balls and his completion percentage is way up there," Reid said. "He's doing a good job with that and knowing the limited amount that he knows right now. He's a smart kid and we're throwing a ton at him right now. We really like his attitude."

The battles on the offensive line will be for backup spots, which all seem to be open beyond King Dunlap's role as the third tackle.

With 70-year-old Howard Mudd being given this camp off, Eugene Chung has stepped in and run the show there. He also like what he sees from the rookies.

"They're young, they literally have to forget what they've done for the past four years and start something new," he said. "That's hard to do for a player, but they're willing to try, they're eager, they're cooperative. That's the type of character, that's the type of guy we want in here."

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson, his contract hassles behind him, is looking for a fresh start heading into his fifth season, in which he's announced a new goal.

"Being a leader, carrying the guys with me and stepping up and being accountable," he said. "That's the biggest thing that this team needs. With myself, Vick, [WRJeremy] Maclin, [RBLeSean] McCoy, [TEBrent] Celek, as far as the offense goes, it starts there first and foremost. We have to go out there and help our defense out by going out and scoring as many points as possible.

"As long as we're able to do that and lead as leaders and everybody watches us and follows along, it doesn't have to be any screaming and yelling or anything. ... As long as we can lead by example and we're going out there and showing the young guys what to do out there, everyone else will follow."

The Eagles on Thursday announced they had finalized their football operations staff for 2012 with the hiring of Tom Donahoe as senior football advisor, Ed Marynowitz (assistant director of pro scouting), Jake Hallum (senior scout), John Middlekauff (West Coast area scout), Dan Hatman (pro scout), Alec Halaby (special assistant to the general manager) and Jake Rosenberg (manager of football administration).

Donahoe was director of football operations for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1991-99 and general manager of the Buffalo Bills from 2001-05.